On August 10, members of the IUF-affiliated Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM) went on strike at Mondelēz in Portland, Oregon following demands from the company for major collective bargaining concessions from the BCTGM and their Nabisco members across the United States.
- This attack on working conditions at Nabisco follows the company’s 2021 decision to close two bakeries in Fairlawn, New Jersey and Atlanta, Georgia where over 1,000 BCTGM members worked. Mondelēz’ bargaining demands also come against the backdrop of it having previously offshored hundreds of good union BCTGM jobs to Mexico where there are lower labour costs, few independent unions, and poor labour protections
- Nabisco workers are classed as essential food workers and have worked throughout the COVID-19 pandemic
- Food processing companies like Mondelēz have seen soaring revenues with more people eating at home during the pandemic and snacking on products like those produced by Mondelēz workers (e.g. Oreos)
- Over the past year, other IUF affiliates with Mondelēz membership have also reported challenging collective bargaining with Mondelēz. In some cases, workers have been left with no option but to take industrial action
Please read a statement from BCTGM International President Anthony Shelton on the strike here.
